What is valve replacement surgery?

Valve surgeries and treatments are used to repair or replace a heart valve that isn't functioning properly due to valvular heart disease (also called heart valve disease). Open-heart surgery through the breastbone into the chest is known as heart valve surgery. It's a big procedure that can take two hours or more, and recovery can take weeks. Some types of valvular heart disease can be treated with newer, less invasive procedures, but they are only available at a few facilities. Find the best hospitals for Heart Valve Replacement in Kerala here.

What are three different techniques to replace a valve?

There are various alternative ways for repairing or replacing valves, depending on the condition. Valve replacement surgery. In most cases, surgical treatments are utilised to treat abnormalities with the mitral or tricuspid valves,also valve repair without surgery, replacement of a heart valve and minimally invasive valve repair/replacement.

Things to keep in mind before surgery 

Discuss how to prepare for your forthcoming operation with your healthcare practitioner. Keep the following in mind:

• May need some routine tests before the procedure to assess your health before surgery such as chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, echocardiogram (to assess your current valve), coronary angiogram (to assess blood flow in your heart arteries)
• Before the procedure, don't eat or drink anything after midnight.
• try to quit smoking. Inquire with your doctor about possible solutions.
• Before undergoing operation, you may need to stop using certain medications. If you typically take blood-thinning medications like warfarin or aspirin, follow your doctor's recommendations.

Things to keep in mind after surgery

• Until your doctor says it's acceptable, avoid intense activities like bicycling, jogging, weight lifting, or heavy aerobic exercise.
• Avoid activities that strain your chest or upper arm muscles for three months.

FAQ

1. Which heart valve requires the most replacement?

   The aortic and mitral valves are the two most common valves that require repair or replacement. 

2. Is a heart valve replacement major surgery?

   When one or more of your heart valves do not open or seal properly, your doctor may propose heart valve replacement surgery. Regurgitation is caused by a heart valve that does not seal completely.

3. Is it possible to replace a heart valve without undergoing open heart surgery?

   Yes, there is a catheter-assisted minimally invasive treatment called TAVR that may be a better option for some people who are at moderate to high risk of complications following open heart surgery.

4. How long can a patient with a replaced valve live?

   It depends on the patient's age, medical condition etc. It is expected to be 5-10 years.

5. Is it possible to have a second heart valve replaced?

   The functioning of the left ventricle has improved, and early surgery may improve the prognosis even more, showing that an aortic homograft is a safe and long-lasting alternative for patients who require a second aortic valve replacement.